In the dim, early light of his room at Aethel's barracks, Michael lay awake on his simple bed, enveloped in silence. The quiet of the dawn was a stark contrast to the turbulence of apprehension churning inside him. As the first rays of sunlight began to seep through the narrow window, illuminating the spartan room, they brought with them the reality of the day ahead—his first combat training. Unlike many of his fellow Paladins, Michael's previous life on Earth had provided no preparation for physical confrontation. The prospect of engaging in real combat, where his well-honed analytical skills would be of little use, filled him with a sense of foreboding.

He rolled over, letting his feet touch the cool, hard floor, and sat up, feeling the stiffness in his muscles—a tangible reminder of the previous day's grueling training. As he rubbed his face, trying to dispel the last vestiges of sleep and the mounting anxiety, Michael couldn’t help but feel a sense of inadequacy. Never having engaged in anything more physically demanding than office workouts, the idea of stepping into a combat scenario seemed almost surreal. He knew that many of his peers were seasoned warriors, and the thought of standing among them, untrained and inexperienced, was daunting.

As he dressed in the simple but functional attire provided for training, the specter of the upcoming combat loomed large in his mind. He tried to mentally prepare himself, recalling the basic self-defense techniques he had seen in movies and read about in books. Each movement, from lacing his boots to adjusting his shirt, felt heavy with the weight of the impending challenges.

Despite the fear, a flicker of dark humor crossed his mind, imagining how his life insurance premiums would have skyrocketed back on Earth with his new 'career' as a Paladin. The thought brought a small, wry smile to his face. His previous job, with its endless spreadsheets and risk assessments, suddenly seemed like a distant, unappealing memory. The prospect of a physically demanding day, even one that might involve getting pummeled in training, oddly seemed like a welcome change. It was, after all, a small price to pay for the thrill of embracing a life far away where he never had to open MegaSoft XCell ever again.

With a deep breath to steady his nerves, Michael stepped out of his room, ready to face the day. The corridors of the barracks were already coming to life with the sounds of other Paladins preparing for the day’s training. Despite his apprehensions, there was a part of him that was eager to test his limits, to learn and grow in ways he never could have imagined back on Earth. As he made his way to the dining hall for a quick breakfast, Michael felt a growing resolve to not just endure the training but to embrace it fully, ready to transform the challenges into opportunities.

In the dining hall, Michael quickly grabbed what seemed to be scrambled eggs and a slice of bread, his appetite diminished by anxiety. Seated alone at a small table, he ate mechanically, his mind preoccupied with the looming combat training. Each bite was less about enjoyment and more about fueling his body, as visions of physical confrontations, for which he felt unprepared, played out in his thoughts. Hastily finishing his meal, he noticed Maria and Elisabetta near the exit, their expressions mirroring his apprehension. Walking over to join them he greeted both Lex and the girls, trying to be positive despite his dour mood.

Lex, observing the group's unease, attempted to inject some levity into the atmosphere. “Liven up, ladies,” he joked, addressing Michael and the others, “trust me, fighting’s not so bad. This is just practice, after all. I was in five or six life-or-death scraps before any formal training, so you're in a much better spot. You’ll all do great.”

Maria responded softly, her voice tinged with nervousness, “I’m rather nervous about my performance, and my past experiences with violence... they weren’t pleasant.” She visibly shuddered, haunted by memories she preferred to leave unspoken.

Elisabetta, quick to offer support, suggested, “Maybe you could share one of those stories, Lex? It might lighten the mood.”

Lex, with a wistful smile, replied, “Ah, I'd love to, but a proper telling would take an hour, and it looks like we've already arrived for training.” He smoothly opened the door to the training hall, where Valeria and about half of the other Paladins were already assembled, waiting for them.

As they entered the training hall, Valeria stood before the group, her demeanor authoritative yet encouraging. In her hands, she held a tray with vials containing a shimmering, liquid mana. The vials, slightly larger than those given previously, radiated with a potent energy that seemed almost palpable.

"Today's training will push your limits," Valeria began, her eyes meeting each Paladin's gaze. "This liquid mana is more concentrated than your last dose. Your task is to absorb it fully, using the energy to expand your mana cores. It will be painful, a burning sensation as if your very being is being stretched. If it becomes unbearable, you may vent the excess mana. However, I urge you to endure as much as you can. This pain is a part of expanding your capabilities."

As Michael drank the liquid mana, a tingling sensation began at the base of his throat, quickly spreading throughout his body. With each heartbeat, he felt the mana coursing through him, its energy raw and unbridled. He began to run, trying to focus on Valeria’s instructions, but the sensation inside him was rapidly intensifying.

The mana felt like a torrent within his core, each cycle more powerful than the last. It pressed against the boundaries of his core with an almost physical force, like an expanding balloon on the verge of bursting. The pressure was immense, a mix of pain and power that threatened to overwhelm his senses.

As he ran, Michael’s vision blurred, the edges of his sight tinged with flashes of color – the visual manifestation of his internal struggle. The pain was no longer just a sensation; it felt like a physical entity, clawing and burning its way through him. He saw other Paladins falter, their faces contorted in discomfort as they vented their mana in bursts of light.

Michael gritted his teeth, his breathing ragged. Every step was a battle, not just against the pain but also against the instinct to release the mana and relieve the pressure. He could feel his core stretching, adapting, but the process was agonizing. His body screamed for him to stop, to vent the mana, but he pushed on, driven by a deep-seated desire to prove himself, to grow stronger.

With each lap, his strides became more labored, his focus more intense. The barracks around him seemed to fade, his entire world narrowing down to the fiery mana within him and the burning of his muscles. It felt like an eternity, each second a test of his willpower and endurance.

Finally, as he completed his last lap, Michael stumbled to a halt, gasping for breath. He had done it. He had retained all the liquid mana, his core now pulsating with newfound energy, expanded and raw. Despite the pain, there was a sense of profound achievement, a feeling of having crossed a threshold into uncharted territory.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Willpower +1 Nice work Michael! Seems I may have underestimated you a little, but I think my bias is understandable given you were kinda worthless back on earth. You're getting closer to increasing your mana score as well, keep it up and we’ll level soon!

Exhausted yet exhilarated, Michael leaned over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. The struggle had been intense, but he had emerged stronger, more confident in his ability to handle pain. He continued to try to expand his core using the mana he gradually absorbed from the room, desperate for more of the intoxicating power.

Valeria signaled a break soon after, observing as the remaining Paladins either vented or absorbed the last of the liquid mana. Taking a moment to survey the group, she commended, “Decent work by most of you. In the future, I expect more of you to retain it all. We’ll pivot the rest of our conditioning to stretching today to ensure you’re all fresh for combat training after lunch.”

Michael's brief triumph ebbed slightly at the mention of combat training, a knot of nervous anticipation forming in his stomach. He found himself more apprehensive as Valeria guided them through an array of stretches and poses, some vaguely familiar, others reminiscent of martial arts stances. As he contorted into each position, Michael’s thoughts were preoccupied, his mind circling back to the impending combat. He tried to relax into the stretches, but his efforts were tinged with a sense of foreboding.

After a hastily consumed lunch, it was time for combat training. Standing beside Elisabetta and Maria, Michael’s anxiety was palpable as Valeria began addressing the assembled Paladins with a stern gaze.

“I know many of you think you've encountered violence, that you understand the perils of combat, that you're competent warriors,” she began, her eyes sweeping across the group. “Wrong. You are all woefully unprepared and weak at this moment, and it’s critical you recognize this. Arm yourselves according to your comfort. For those new to combat, I recommend the spear or sword and shield. While some of you will specialize in ranged combat, every warrior of Aethel must be proficient in close-quarters defense.”

Valeria led them to an adjoining armory, filled with a staggering array of weapons. Around him, Michael noticed the other Paladins quickly selecting weapons with a familiarity that he envied. Isabelle gracefully picked up a slender rapier, skillfully twirling it in the air, while Lex confidently strapped knives onto his person.

Feeling out of his depth and without a clear strategy, Michael, alongside Elisabetta and Maria, hesitantly picked up relatively short spears. They seemed manageable, something they could at least swing without too much difficulty. Holding the spear, Michael felt a surge of both fear and determination. This was new territory, far from anything he had encountered on earth, but he was ready to face it head-on as he walked back into the training hall.

“Okay everyone circle around me,” Valeria instructed. The Paladins formed a loose circle around her, each gripping their chosen weapon with varying degrees of confidence. Michael held his spear tentatively, feeling both anticipation and anxiety.

“To start, I am going to fight all of you at once,” Valeria announced, her voice calm yet commanding. “I figure it's the fastest way to figure out a bit about each of you, and we’ll go from there. Everyone ready?”

Michael, still gripping his spear with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, watched Valeria intently. Her posture was relaxed yet poised, a predator coiled and ready to strike.

“Remember, this is a learning exercise,” Valeria reminded them, her voice calm but firm. “Don’t hold back.”

Before they could fully process her words, Valeria lunged into action with a speed that was almost supernatural. Her first target was Jack Benally, who had positioned himself confidently at the forefront. In a fluid motion that belied her speed, Valeria sidestepped his shield and struck him sharply in the temple with a wooden sword. Jack crumpled to the ground, incapacitated before his comrades could even react.

Michael tried to rally his friends, Elisabetta and Maria, to form a defensive circle. But Valeria’s agility rendered their efforts futile. She moved like a whirlwind, her attacks precise and devastating as she smashed his spear aside. Michael felt a sudden blow to his head, a sharp pain flashing across his vision, and then he was on the ground, the world spinning around him.

From his prone position, he watched, half-dazed, as Valeria continued her relentless assault. She flowed effortlessly among the trainees, her movements a blend of grace and lethal intent. Each Paladin fell in quick succession, their defensive efforts proving no match for her skill.

Isabelle Dubois and Grant, the large man Michael had noticed perform exceptionally well in training the first day, managed to engage Valeria in a more sustained exchange. Their movements were swift, almost superhuman, making Michael wonder if they were tapping into their affinities. Isabelle's speed and precision with her rapier were impressive, while Grant wielded his sword and shield with a strength that seemed to surpass normal human limits.

For a brief moment, it appeared they might hold their ground against Valeria, but it was a short-lived hope. Valeria accelerated her attacks, her speed increasing to a blur. She maneuvered around Grant’s shield with ease, delivering a series of rapid strikes that left him disarmed and stunned. Isabelle, despite her agility, soon met the same fate, unable to keep pace with Valeria’s heightened assault.

Lying on the ground, Michael felt a mixture of pain and awe. Valeria's prowess was beyond anything he had imagined. She wasn’t just a skilled warrior; she was a master of combat, her abilities far exceeding what seemed humanly possible. As he struggled to get up, his head throbbing from the impact, he couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by her skill. In fact she hadn’t really shown any abilities, he was sure her stats were probably much higher than she had needed to tap into. And he was sure she had magical abilities and attacks that would leave him as nothing but a smear on the training hall floor.

Valeria stood amidst the fallen Paladins, her breathing steady, not a hint of exertion on her face. She surveyed the group with a critical eye, her expression a mix of disappointment and resolve. "You all performed as expected — terribly," she announced, her voice echoing in the now silent hall. "Your lack of experience and equally importantly power is glaringly obvious. But that's what we're here to remedy."

As she spoke, Valeria began to gather mana, her hands moving in precise, fluid motions that Michael had never seen before. The air around her seemed to crackle with energy, the intensity growing with each passing second. Then, with a swift, sweeping gesture, she released the mana. A wave of light and warmth washed over the room, instantly healing and reinvigorating the fallen Paladins.

Michael, now back on his feet, felt a surge of energy coursing through him, his earlier fatigue and pain vanishing as if they had never existed. He watched in awe as Valeria effortlessly manipulated such immense power, the gap between their abilities driven in yet again.

"Your next challenge will be one-on-one combat," Valeria announced, her gaze stern yet encouraging. "We'll have four fights at a time." She began calling out pairs of Paladins, which included Gaius Marius and the two Chinese men, each holding long spears with an air of comfortable familiarity. The group followed her to the combat arenas set up in the training hall, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air.

Michael felt a spike of anxiety at the announcement, his stomach tightening at the thought of entering the ring. A part of him desperately hoped for an easy pairing, for a chance to ease into this new world of combat. But as quickly as the thought surfaced, he chastised himself. ‘Who cares if I lose? All that matters is getting stronger. Better opponents should help, right?’

With this renewed perspective, Michael tried to focus on the purpose of the training, steadying his nerves as Valeria began to explain how the duels would function.